Corrections_Today_July_August_2020_Vol.82_No.4

Professional Development

Certification Spotlight

Recognizing excellence in professional certification

By Raul S. Banasco and Darby Howard

T he first inaugural group of the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services (DJS) staff recently earned their professional certification designation from ACA. The national recognition of Certified Corrections Professional is important because it establishes credibility of the corrections field. Here is what some select members of the DJS had to say about this achievement: From the director As the director of the department, it was important to encourage my staff to become certified because it gives them value and confidence in the importance of their role not only in the corrections field but in the crim- inal justice system as a whole. At the end of the day, once these profession- als have become certified, you know that they have spent hours, days and weeks studying and preparing to take the certification exam, which shows dedication and commitment. The time these professionals spent study- ing along with the on-the-job training that they have received better equips them to provide the best care to the offender population. We are confident

that the knowledge gained through the corrections certification program will be put to practice in their daily interactions with offenders. — Raul S. Banasco, director

of service, becoming a certified corrections manager through ACA is definitely something I’m quite proud of. The motivation for me to become a certified corrections manager, al- though late in my career, was due to my agency being under a paradigm shift with a new director. Also, our agency is an ACA accredited facil- ity and has been since 2001, and the reputation ACA has as a profes- sional organization that offer various resources to those who work in the field of corrections was another reason. The information I studied in preparation for the certification pro- cess helped me better understand and to accept the change that was taking place pretty swiftly. As you probably realize, change this late in any career isn’t easy for someone who has oper- ated in a leadership role under the same perimeters for 20-plus years. I have to give credit to the mate- rial I studied in preparation for the exam, which helped me to under- stand and accept that there is always room for growth, improvement and

The time these professionals spent

studying along with the on-the-job training that they have received better equips them to provide

the best care to the offender population.

From the deputy director I have worked for this agency and in the field of corrections for 31- plus years. I worked myself up from within the ranks from corrections officer, recreations officer, main- tenance supply officer, lieutenant, captain, major and superintendent to my current position. Of all of my ac- complishments throughout my years

72 — July/August 2020 Corrections Today